Limited funds / first tools

[Pan5N3]

I'm fairly new to leather work and doing it as a hobby.  I'm slowly upgrading my Amazon tools and looking for recommendation or suggestions about machines or tools to put next on the list.  While I would love to get a good sewing machine, powered skiver or clicker press, funds are limited and those type of machines are more of a 'win the lottery' type dream for me.  But I'm looking to get something to speed up or allow more versatility.  The things I have been building are; notepad covers and bags.  I also have been doing so repairs / restorations for friends.  The latter is my favourite, but I don't think I would even be able to recoup costs, so only family and friends. Oh, and I won favour with my wife by making her a dozen roses for mother's day. 

So, just wondering what folks think would be a good next step.  I know that options are endless but thought I would ask what people found to be a good option that didn't break the bank. Also, are there things that I should avoid?  I've been considering a manual splitter, hand presses, a manual skiver and pretty much anything else.  I won't be in a position to start selling stuff for a while but would like to start building an inventory so that I can eventually hit a couple of craft fairs.

Put another way, this is almost the opposite of the dream machine post 

Any suggestions would be apprecaited.

[DieselTech]

I will recommend this manual leather skiver if you are working with veg-tan leather. 

I know it's China made, but this is a good manual skiver for the money. It works great. It is the same one that tandy, buckleguy, & a few other companies sell, but at 1/2 to a third of the price. 

The blade will need to be touched up if you decide to get it. 

[TonyV]

I would rather to look at Ebay and local classified ads, yard sales, estate sales and flea markets to find high quality used tools, rather than the cheap Chinese stuff from Amazon.   I already made the Amazon Chinese tool mistake and I'm slowly replacing those.  Yes, you can find some quality tools on Amazon, but they won't cost any less than dealing with the source retailers.  I prefer the local route, so that I can handle and evaluate the tool before I buy.  I recently bought a vintage swivel knife at a yard sale for $3 that is much smoother than my Tandy kit knife.

 

[AlZilla]

I think it's really a question of which tools you're finding lacking in your own work.

For me, I'm finding my one, small inexpensive edge beveler lacking, so that's one thing I'm looking to upgrade.

I also find myself cutting a number of straps, so I'm half heartedly wondering if I should look beyond the wooden strap cutter and my Jerry's Stripper.

Edited December 5 by AlZilla

[DieselTech]

16 minutes ago, AlZilla said:

I think it's really a question of which tools you're finding lacking in your own work.

For me, I'm finding my one, small inexpensive edge beveler lacking, so that's one thing I'm looking to upgrade.

I also find myself cutting a number of straps, so I'm half heartedly wondering if I should look beyond the wooden strap cutter and my Jerry's Stripper.

You might check my thread on the Tandy Pro Manual strap cutter. It's a nice machine. You can cut up to 7 straps at one time, depending on width. It cuts 14-16oz saddle skirting like butter. 

[AlZilla]

1 hour ago, DieselTech said:

You might check my thread on the Tandy Pro Manual strap cutter. It's a nice machine. You can cut up to 7 straps at one time, depending on width. It cuts

Oh, I've been watching ...  Kind of spendy, but it's a nice piece of equipment.

[fredk]

I went almost  20 years without high priced tools. I still don't have all the fancy things you can buy. But the one thing I did buy and like and would not be without is my Tandy Pro-press. I use it for 3D/2D stamping, die cutting and now I've adapted some stitching chisels to fit it and I can punch stitching holes. All done quietly. A cheaper version of the Pro-press is available. I have a couple of the skiving machines but never use them, I always revert to my knives and Tandy Super Skiver for skiving. I use the ole' wooden strap cutter. Been using it for 24 years now, just a new blade every 5 years - joke, actually a new blade as often as required

I buy a lot of things from China, mainly cos there isn't a dealer anywhere near me and they would have the same tools, made in China, but marked up by 400%.* I buy on ebay and pay via paypal that way I have buyer protection; If the tools are rubbish I can get my money back, but I very rarely get rubbish. 

I use a small tool for rounding my edges. Its sold on ebay as a leather edger at about £5 each. But I get them in the Beauty section, as cuticle trimmers at £4 per 10. I've bought quality French skivers at under £4 each. Leather dealers sell them for at least £20. Shop around, check different sections on ebay and you'll find good prices. Better than Amazon

* look on the back of Tandy packaging, it will say made in China or Taiwan

 

Edited December 5 by fredk

[Pan5N3]

Thanks for the all feedback.  Think I need to talk to my boss and ask for a raise.    The pro press that FredK mentioned is something I was considering but that splitter looks tempting.  Maybe I'll tell my wife to buy me the press and then sneak the splitter in without telling her. 

 

On 12/4/2024 at 4:15 PM, TonyV said:

I would rather to look at Ebay and local classified ads, yard sales, estate sales...

I'll start digging a bit more on eBay.  What's odd is that locally, I can't find used stuff.  Two Tandy stores and a couple of other places, yet I can't find used.  Very strange

Still open for ideas.  19 days till Christmas,
 

 

 

 

[DJole]

You might find some useful information in Ian Atkinson's videos. 
I have linked, below, his video which discusses what tools a beginner needs:
https://www.ianatkinson.net/leather/learn/videos.htm

The one video I mentioned above is titled "The Tools You Need for Leatherwork!"

[Klara]

On 12/5/2024 at 2:11 AM, AlZilla said:

I also find myself cutting a number of straps, so I'm half heartedly wondering if I should look beyond the wooden strap cutter

Probably not. An ex-colleague of mine earns his living making leather belts and is using a simple wooden strap cutter...

On 12/4/2024 at 8:16 PM, Pan5N3 said:

I'm slowly upgrading my Amazon tools and looking for recommendation or suggestions about machines or tools to put next on the list

You seem to have your basic tools. In my opinion, nothing is more versatile than basic hand tools. Machines that increase speed cost serious money...

Do you have the equipment for sharpening and are able to use it? If not, that's the first step (Al Stohlman wrote a book on the subject). Then I would only replace tools that annoy you to the point where you just can't stand them any more. 

I'd rather spend the money on good leather and thread...

[dikman]

Ye olde wooden strap cutter is hard to beat, it's simple and works well. Don't be in a hurry to replace it.